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SRT Motorsports signs Ryan Dalziel for Viper team in American Le Mans Series

February 6, 2013

The Viper GT car races around Mid-Ohio last year.Ryan Dalziel has agreed to drive and SRT Viper GT race car for a full ALMS season. Photo by LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC

SRT Motorsports on Thursday announced that Ryan Dalziel has joined its Viper GT-class sports-car team, completing the organization's driver lineup for the 2013 American Le Mans Series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Dalziel is the latest addition to the two-car Viper GTS-R team that includes drivers Tommy Kendall, Marc Goossens, Kuno Wittmer, Dominik Farnbacher and Jonathan Bomarito. All six drivers are participating in the ALMS's preseason test session Thursday and Friday at Florida's Sebring International Raceway in preparation for the season-opening 12 Hours of Sebring on March 16 at the 3.7-mile road course. Dalziel is signed to drive in the team's three big endurance races this year: the 12 Hours of Sebring, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. His SRT Motorsports duty will be in addition to his full-time ride with Starworks Motorsport in the 2013 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series.

Dalziel in recent seasons has become one of the best Daytona Prototype drivers in the Rolex Sports Car Series. The Scotsman has been racing sports cars since 2005 and has won the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. His appointment to the SRT Motorsports team makes him the replacement for reigning Izod IndyCar Series champion Ryan Hunter-Reay, who drove one of the Viper GTS-Rs last season in a limited schedule during the team's first outings in the ALMS.

“Ryan Dalziel is an excellent addition to our SRT Motorsports team,” said Beth Paretta, director of marketing and operations -- SRT brand and motorsports. “He's an accomplished racer and his intensity complements the enthusiasm of our team. Now, we turn our focus to final preparation of our Viper GTS-Rs for a full ALMS schedule and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”

Dalziel said, “A lot of my decision to join SRT Motorsports was based around how much solid progress was made by the team last year. I truly believe that the car is going to win races this year. Hopefully, it's the one I'm in. It's a very good project with great people behind it. I have no doubt that it's going to be a successful program.”

He added, “I already know a lot of the people involved in the program and I'm looking forward to getting to know the people that I don't know. I know a lot of people from Riley Technologies [which develops the Viper GTS-R] and have worked with Bill Riley for many years. The core group, along with Riley Technologies and SRT, is a recipe for success. I can't wait to get aboard and have a successful year.”

SRT Motorsports said it will announce its driver combinations for each Viper GTS-R prior to the 12 Hours of Sebring.